TEMPERATURES soared to 25C (77F) yesterday, making it the hottest day of the year so far, and forecasters say today is set to be even warmer.

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Temperatures soared to 25C (77F) yesterday, topping the 24.7C high in Glasgow on Monday and making it the warmest day of the year.

And with forecasters predicting it will near 26C today, Scotland is set for its hottest day of 2014 three days in a row.

MeteoGroup recorded 25C highs in the Central Belt yesterday and thousands of people took advantage, heading to beaches, outdoor pools and parks throughout the country.

STV weatherman Sean Batty tweeted: “These are the warmest days of the year so far. #ScotScorchio.”

Most of the country will enjoy sunshine again today – while Ibiza “shivers” in temperatures of just 24C.

It came after 14 hours of sun in the south and west of Scotland on Monday. But parts of the east were cooler at 17C yesterday and evening thunderstorms threatened up to 25mm if rain in an hour. Scotland will get cooler as the week goes on.

Highs of 20C are expected tomorrow, with the west sunniest. Most places will stay dry with only scattered showers.

MeteoGroup’s Billy Payne said: “Scotland looks slightly warmer again on Wednesday, with around 25C, which is very warm for Scotland.

“It’s due to high pressure to the west of Scotland bringing the country dry and settled weather. It’s cooler in England due to a north-easterly breeze not affecting warmer parts of Scotland.”

Send us your pictures of you enjoying the Scottish heatwave to reporters@scotlandnow.com, by visiting our Facebook page or tweeting us @ScotlandNow